Investigator Joseph Thomas Aversa
New York State Police
New York
End of Watch: Monday, March 5, 1990

Biographical Info
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: 6 years
Badge Number: 2345

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Monday, March 5, 1990
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life

Investigator Aversa was shot and killed when an undercover drug deal went bad. Investigator Aversa was conducting surveillance of undercover negotiations during a cocaine investigation, when the drug dealers fired at the undercover officer. Investigator Aversa led other task force members to the scene and was fatally wounded during an exchange of gunfire with the drug traffickers. Two other task force members were injured in this incident. The suspect was apprehended and sentenced to 25 years to life.

Investigator Aversa had been with the agency for six years and was survived by his wife. His wife became a State Trooper in 1994 and was assigned his shield number.